Steve Kerr Floats Radical NBA Idea: Remove the 3-Point Line to Spark Creativity

By Daniel Richardson, Editor-in-Chief, Archysport

The three-point shot has defined Steve Kerr’s basketball legacy—as a player, a coach, and the architect of the Golden State Warriors’ dynasty. Yet in a surprising interview with The New Yorker, Kerr suggested the NBA might be better off without it.

“I would consider removing the three-point line,” Kerr told the magazine, a statement that clashes with his own career. As a player, he set the NBA record for career three-point percentage (45.4%), and as a coach, he helped revolutionize the game with Steph Curry’s long-range barrage. But now, he argues the shot has created a predictable, analytics-driven style that leaves little room for creativity.

The Problem With the Three-Point Revolution

Kerr’s critique centers on how the three-point line has reshaped shot selection. “The game, as it was designed, is really to create the best shots possible,” he said. “That’s why in the early days, you just threw it inside to the big guy.”

The three-point line was introduced in 1979, borrowed from the ABA to inject excitement into a low-scoring era. But Kerr argues that analytics have turned it into a rigid formula: teams now prioritize layups and corner threes (which are shorter, at 22 feet, rather than the 23.9 feet above the break) even as avoiding mid-range shots entirely. “You have this whole no man’s land between those areas,” he said. “If you shoot a 22-footer from the top of the key now, that’s considered a really bad shot.”

For context, when Kerr retired in 2003, teams averaged 14.7 three-point attempts per game. This season, that number has ballooned to 38.4 attempts per game, per NBA official statistics.

A Return to Fundamentals?

Kerr’s proposal isn’t about eliminating long-range shooting—it’s about forcing teams to rethink their approach. Without the three-point line, players would have to rely on ball movement, post play, and mid-range creativity rather than standing behind an arc and waiting for a pass.

“I wonder if removing the three-point line would diversify the ways to play and create more creative solutions,” he said. “I don’t know if it would work, but it’s worth considering.”

League Reaction and Historical Precedent

The NBA has tinkered with the three-point line before. In 1994, the league moved it back a foot to increase difficulty, and in 1997, it reverted to the original distance. More recently, the league experimented with a four-point line in the G League, but Kerr dismissed that idea outright: “Never.”

Golden State’s recent playoff struggles—including their elimination in the play-in tournament by the Phoenix Suns—may have influenced Kerr’s perspective. The Warriors, once the league’s most dynamic offense, have seen their identity diluted by copycat strategies. Without the three-point line, teams would have to innovate rather than replicate.

What’s Next?

Kerr’s comments come at a time when the NBA is already debating rule changes, including potential adjustments to the shot clock and defensive three-second violations. While removing the three-point line remains a long shot, his willingness to challenge the status quo reflects a broader conversation about the future of basketball.

The NBA has not commented on Kerr’s proposal, but if history is any indication, the league is open to experimentation—just not at the expense of scoring. For now, the three-point line remains, but Kerr’s words have already sparked debate among coaches, players, and fans.

Key Takeaways

• Steve Kerr suggested removing the three-point line to encourage more creative shot selection.
• The three-point line was introduced in 1979 and has since become the focal point of NBA offenses.
• Teams now prioritize layups and corner threes, leaving mid-range shots as “no man’s land.”
• Kerr’s proposal aims to force teams to rely on ball movement and post play rather than analytics-driven long-range shooting.
• The NBA has experimented with rule changes before, but removing the three-point line would be a radical shift.

What do you think? Should the NBA remove the three-point line, or is it too ingrained in the modern game? Share your thoughts in the comments below.